Monday, July 25, 2011

Welcome friends! I hope it is warm, but not too warm, where you are today. My guy is in Toronto - I hope everyone is finding shade and a cool spot today. Be safe out there!

A superb op-ed piece by Mark Bittman on what governments could do to help encourage healthy diets. It really is a war. The quantity of crap food that crowds our grocery store shelves and competes for our dinner time dollar is astonishing. NY Times.

Another reminder that peeling your fruit and vegetables removes many of their cancer-fighting compounds. Give them a wash and leave the peel on as often as you can. Dr. Richard Beliveau in the Toronto Sun

WTF? A new study has linked height to increased risk of cancer. OK, it's linked to a slightly greater risk. It may just be that taller people simply have more cells in their bodies thus increasing the opportunity for a cancerous cock-up. But perhaps, if there is a hormonal connection, that has the potential to impact future treatment. Consumer Reports

Hiding vegetables in food works - kids end up consuming more vegetables. But I've always been told that the key to developing lifelong good eating habits is getting kids to accept and enjoy eating fruits and vegetables in their whole states. I certainly don't feel dishonest sneaking them in and have never understood that parental response. Penn State

More pink fatigue voiced in response to Susan G. Komen's Nancy Brinker promoting Promise Me perfume. Look for quotes from cyber friend Brenda Coffee of the Breast Cancer Sisterhood. USA Today ~Personally, I have given up most perfumes and conventional cosmetics because of the health risks posed by many of the ingredients. And I empathize with women who cannot deal with scent on themselves or others, especially during cancer treatment. There is no way I could have been in the same room with someone wearing this or any other scent when I was on chemo. Can Komen not find other more appropriate products to help promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for research? Vitamin D? Calcium supplements? Whole grain cereal? Green tea? Yoga accessories? What about one of those fancy, celebrity endorsed waters?

Poor dietary and lifestyle choices also linked to the rise in cancers for those over 40 in new UK study. Daily Mail ~Anyone else want to join me this morning for some exercise and an egg white omelette?

Mozart may have died because of vitamin D deficiency. This might also be true for Gustav Mahler. Daily Mail

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

What level of alcohol consumption is safe, from a cancer perspective? Probably none. Vancouver Sun

Men more likely to die from cancer than women. A study finds that it is likely they have higher risk cancers and get treatment later. Gentlemen, please go see your doctors the second you have a concern - don't wait. Reuters.

A new study focuses on salt, heart disease and potassium. Cutting back on salt and increasing potassium are important steps to preventing cardiovascular disease. Web MD.

Finally, after two nights of grilled meats in a row, a reminder about healthier grilling. Eating grilled meat is linked to increased cancer risk. So, at least part of the time, choose to use lean meats, marinate and try indirect heat to cut down on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines, or stick to fish, seafood and vegetables. Seattle PI

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

...yes, I can see that it is actually Wednesday. The kids are home from school - let's blame them. :-)

First up, and adding more fuel to the backlash fire, the Canadian Cancer Society spends more money on fundraising than research, according to CBC's show Marketplace. Globe and Mail. And tonight, the Society has responded by defending its track record and encouraging potential donors to do their own research. Most of my donations these days go to The Terry Fox Foundation and Stand Up 2 Cancer. You can pick your own. But, if you have the time, could I encourage you take a moment organizations that have found a way to efficiently and effectively put money into researchers' hands?

It won't go away. More on the health benefits of green tea. Now it is going after your high cholesterol. Globe and Mail. Right now I have a big pitcher of it in the fridge. 6 minutes getting that ready in the morning and I don't have to think about brewing up a pot in the middle of a hot day.

Go for a walk - it's a beautiful day - I mean it. Even if it isn't sunny and warm where you are, it is a beautiful, beautiful day.

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Sharing what I am learning about cancer and some good chat about family, food, wine, books and the other joys in life. If you want to follow the whole journey, please start with my post from May 12, 2010. Cheers.